THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA TRA THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
News
OrchestraNews
Chorus auditions announced for children, youth, and adult singers for Blossom and 2014-15
Cleveland Orchestra News
31
THE CLEVELAND ORC
Severance Hall 2013-14
or an equivalent classical solo piece; Broadway or “pop” tunes are not acceptable. In addition to the prepared piece, students will be asked to sight-read and demonstrate their vocal range. An accompanist is provided at the audition. The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus is one of the few professionally trained, all-volunteer choruses sponsored by a major American orchestra. Coming from nearly fifty Northeast Ohio communities, members of the Chorus perform with The Cleveland Orchestra in subscription and Christmas concerts each year. Previous choral experience and sight-reading skills are required. The Blossom Festival Chorus includes many members of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and other Northeast Ohio choral groups. It has established itself as a permanent annual part of the summertime Blossom Festival and has sung in more than 100 concerts since its 1968 debut. Both groups are directed by Robert Porco. Auditions for the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Blossom Festival Chorus were held in mid-April. Those interested can inquire about future audition dates. Those auditioning are asked to prepare two pieces from the classical literature, one of which should be in a foreign language. Each piece should be approximately two minutes in length. Previous choral experience and sight-reading skills are required. An accompanist is usually provided at the audition. To schedule an audition, call the Chorus Office at 216-231-7374, or send an email to chorus@clevelandorchestra.com.
THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
Spring audition dates for the choral groups sponsored by The Cleveland Orchestra have been announced. The auditions — for adults, youth, and children — are for membership in groups singing during the 2014 Blossom Music Festival and the 2014-15 Season at Severance Hall. Auditions will take place in May and June. The Cleveland Orchestra Choruses embody a long-standing commitment to choral music in which community members of all ages have the opportunity to participate. The Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus is open to students in grades 6-8 and directed by Ann Usher, and the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Preparatory Chorus is open to students in grades 5-8 and directed by Suzanne Walters. Both groups are holding auditions on June 2, June 7, and June 14. The Children’s Chorus, formed in 1967, provides musical training in vocal production and choral performance skills. The Children’s Preparatory Chorus provides children with initial choral experiences to which younger singers may not have been exposed, while establishing a solid foundation in vocal production techniques. To audition, children must sing one verse of “America” (My Country, ’Tis of Thee) with piano accompaniment in the key of his or her choice and one verse of “America the Beautiful” (Oh beautiful, for spacious skies) without accompaniment in the key of D. Singing scales and doing some rhythmic exercises may also be included in the audition, for which an accompanist is provided. Students in grades 9-12 are welcome to audition for the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, directed by Lisa Wong, on May 3, May 11, or June 11. Created in 1991, the Youth Chorus helps raise awareness of choral music-making in the schools of Northeast Ohio and encourages students to continue their choral activities through college and into adulthood. The Youth Chorus collaborates each season in performance with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. Youth Chorus audition requirements are to prepare a piece from the OMEA Solo & Ensemble list,